I'm a Danged Fool

[DixieDavenport]

Normal people may have thought that Bo was being parnoid, but he would swear that Blackie was getting skidish. He looked at Jeb only to see Jeb looking at him. "Did you feel that?"

Jeb knew that Bo was on edge but the look on Bo's face was different from any he'd ever seen on bo's face. "What is it?"

"Blackie don't like this anymore than we do." Bo said.

As they crossed the County line and rounded a sharp curve, "Bo, Uncle Jesse has done this same run more times than we three have combined. You need to just re......la......" Jebs word trailed off as he spotted red lights up ahead. Lots of red lights. "Ah,...... Bo......"

"Relax!!! You was going to say relax wasn't you?" he said reaching for the CB mic, "Shepard we had a lot of red lights up here."

Jesse looked at where he was at and replied, "You just be easy, I'm just coming up on an old short cut I know. Let me know what's up. I'll be sliding my way around what ever ya got."

Before Bo could reply a fireman came up to the car and told them, "We got a really big truck up here just around the next bend in the ditch and blocking the road. I'll get ya'll through as soon as I can."

Jeb decided to try to cover Bo's nervouness, "Ok, thanks, we're kinda late for a little date we got."

The fireman nodded and continued his way back to the other cars.

Jeb said, "See no problem. It's the fire department."

Bo replied, "Where there is fire departments and wrecks there is law....."

~~~~~~~~~~~

There was a long very awkward silence between Dixie and Luke as each was trying to figure out just exactly why it was happening.

Before either could say anything the CB, on a different channel, came to life, "This is Davenport wrecker to Hazzard Garage."

Luke frowned. He knew that whereever Cooter was and whatever he was doing, he did not want to be bothered by garage business so Luke reached for the General's CB mic, "Davenport wrecker this is Lost Sheep One, I just left the garage and Cooter won't be there either."

Luther Davenport wasn't a greedy man but if there was business to be had he wanted it. He had been coming home in the small wrecker when he came upon a big truck in the ditch. He had the only truck in three counties that would touch that truck, but even if Cooter had been at the garage it would take him and hour to get there. "I got a situation over here Chichasaw County. I've only got the small wrecker and I got a big truck in the ditch. Is there any way you can go get the Pete and meet me over here?"

Luke looked at Dixie.

"I'm game." Dixie said.

Luke keyed the mic, "I've got to get to it. I'll be there as soon as I can....."

[DixieDavenport]

Normal people may have thought that Bo was being parnoid, but he would swear that Blackie was getting skidish. He looked at Jeb only to see Jeb looking at him. "Did you feel that?"

Jeb knew that Bo was on edge but the look on Bo's face was different from any he'd ever seen on bo's face. "What is it?"

"Blackie don't like this anymore than we do." Bo said.

As they crossed the County line and rounded a sharp curve, "Bo, Uncle Jesse has done this same run more times than we three have combined. You need to just re......la......" Jebs word trailed off as he spotted red lights up ahead. Lots of red lights. "Ah,...... Bo......"

"Relax!!! You was going to say relax wasn't you?" he said reaching for the CB mic, "Shepard we had a lot of red lights up here."

Jesse looked at where he was at and replied, "You just be easy, I'm just coming up on an old short cut I know. Let me know what's up. I'll be sliding my way around what ever ya got."

Before Bo could reply a fireman came up to the car and told them, "We got a really big truck up here just around the next bend in the ditch and blocking the road. I'll get ya'll through as soon as I can."

Jeb decided to try to cover Bo's nervouness, "Ok, thanks, we're kinda late for a little date we got."

The fireman nodded and continued his way back to the other cars.

Jeb said, "See no problem. It's the fire department."

Bo replied, "Where there is fire departments and wrecks there is law....."

~~~~~~~~~~~

There was a long very awkward silence between Dixie and Luke as each was trying to figure out just exactly why it was happening.

Before either could say anything the CB, on a different channel, came to life, "This is Davenport wrecker to Hazzard Garage."

Luke frowned. He knew that where ever Cooter was and whatever he was doing, he did not want to be bothered by garage business so Luke reached for the General's CB mic, "Davenport wrecker this is Lost Sheep One, I just left the garage and Cooter won't be there either."

Luther Davenport wasn't a greedy man but if there was business to be had he wanted it. He had been coming home in the small wrecker when he came upon a big truck in the ditch. He had the only truck in three counties that would touch that truck, but even if Cooter had been at the garage it would take him and hour to get there. "I got a situation over here Chichasaw County. I've only got the small wrecker and I got a big truck in the ditch. Is there any way you can go get the Pete and meet me over here?"

Luke looked at Dixie.

"I'm game." Dixie said.

Luke keyed the mic, "I've got to get to it. I'll be there as soon as I can....."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

At that moment Luther knew why he had put up with that blamed Duke boy hanging around for so long, .......... He did come in danged handy at times, "10-4 I'll be just out of the 'S' curves just above the graveyard seeing what I can do until you get here."

Luke keyed the mic, "You know, no matter how many gears I grid it will take me at least an hour and a half?"

Luther swore but replied, "It's better than THREE if I come get it."

Luke replied, "10-4." He then spun the General Lee and headed back to the garage. The silence between him and Dixie remained but the awkwardness was replaced by need to move down the road, right up til Luke caught a glimpse of something as he flew by it. He swore, looked at the speedometer, and loudly, let out a relieved sigh when he saw he was only going 53 MPH, then he saw the blue lights and swore loudly. He was as the old timers said, 'betwix and between' a rock and a hard place.

Dixie glanced in the side mirror, "Luke that's Rosco."

"I know. ....... I'm only going 53MPM so I have no idea what he wants." Luke explained as he geared down and pulled over for the Sheriff. To have done anything else would have been looked at as 'fleeing an officer'.

Dixie braced herself for whatever was coming their way. She knew she could not let anything Luke had told her register on her face when the Sheriff approached.

Sheriff Rosco P. Coultrane pulled his car in behind the General Lee. He was totally surprised when he seen Luke pull the car over for him, but didn't show it as he approached the car with total confidence, "Turn the car off and get out of it now, Luke Duke."

Luke swore to himself and began doing as he had been told.

As Luke was climbing throught the window, Dixie asked, “Is this what you were talking about earlier?â€

“It’s likely. But, we’re empty. Just relax.†Luke said lowly for only her to hear.

Rosco directed, still surprised that Luke had stopped, “Up against the car and spread them.â€

Dixie saw Luke’s jaw set and the muscles in his neck set as Luke did as he was told. She seen Rosco search him then Rosco directed his attention to her, “I need you to get out of the car to Ms.â€

Dixie was in a mood and asked, “Should I also get against the car and spread them, too?†she asked as she climbed throught the window.

Rosco turned beet red and replied, “That won’t be necessary.â€

[bethie88]

Luke turned to look at Rosco. "Now, do you mind tellin' me just exactly why you pulled me over?"

Rosco laughed his irritating laugh, and replied, "............

~ ~ ~

Jeb was trying to keep his cool, knowing that Bo, in the situation they were in, was more likely than usual to get hotheaded. "Now, don't worry, Bo... Uncle Jesse got through, and we ain't got nothin to hide in this car."

Bo glanced at Jeb as if in shock. Surely his cousin wouldn't be so stupid as to think them out of harms way.

~Cue Dixie~

[DixieDavenport]

And at that very moment, who should spot the primer black LTD that Sheriff Big Ed Little. When Bo looked back at the road he saw Sheriff Little looking right at him. The look made Bo feel like the first time he'd every been caught passing a note in school. He saw it in Little's eyes. It was a satisfied look that said, 'I just caught you!' Bo's reaction had been the same as in school, he felt the blood rush to his head, could feel himself turning beet red, and broke out in a sweat from head to toe.

Bo was barely able to say past the lump in his thoat, "He's gonna pull us."

Jeb's skin was crawling but he tried to get Bo to calm down, "Just be easy and slide on by there is no reason to pull us out of a line of traffic."

Bo said with certainty, "But his is."

At that very second Sheriff Little stepped out between Bo and the car in front of him. In the one lane of traffic that was barely getting by, Bo had no choice other than to stop or hit the Sheriff.

Jeb heard Bo swear as he hit the brake.

"Told ya." Bo said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile Luke had his own problems, as Rosco gloated, "Well, ya seeeeeeee, ...... I have reason to believe that you are making a trip for Jesse tonight and this here car is ridin' awfully low."

Luke frowned, "Rosco if it were any higher up we'd need a step stool to get in it. The only trip I'm making is for Luther. He's in Chickasaw County and needs his big wrecker, furthermore I've basically been working for Luther all day since Bo picked me up."

Dixie wasn't happy and was about to put her two cents into this conversation but figured it may be better to let Luke handle the Sheriff.

Rosco replied, "Is that right? Well suppose we just make sure a little bird didn't load your trunk when you weren't looking?"

Luke was ready to chew nails but knew Luther was waiting on him and the more time he spent with Rosco the longer it would take him to get there. "Alright." He got the keys from the ignition and walked to the trunk. He opened the trunk. Inside was a tool box, a spare tire, jack, lug bar and a sleeping bag. "Satisfied?"

Rosco ....................

[bethie88]

Rosco, of course, wasn't satisfied. "Why don'tcha take that there tire and all out of the trunk, Duke boy?" he asked.

Luke knew better than to argue, so he went to work, knowing that at this point, there was no point in trying to change Rosco's mind. "But when you don't find nothin, you're puttin' this back like it was."

Rosco was convinced he would, so he didn't worry too much just yet.

Luke crossed his arms as the sheriff looked into the trunk....

~Cue Dixie~

[DixieDavenport]

Dixie knew that if Luke told her he didn't have anything in the car then there wasn't anything in the car, but there was something about Rosco's certainity that worried Dixie as she watched him looking into the trunk.

Rosco stopped looking and stomped back to his patrol car.

Dixie said in a soft voice, "Now what?"

Luke was watching the Sheriff. He shook his head. He knew what the Sheriff was up to. He'd seen it before, so he replied, "Just stay calm. We're about to have a lot of company real soon."

Rosco reached for the CB mic and said, "This is Sheriff Rosco P. Coultrane and I need an ATF agent at my location. I have a runner here."

Andy Roach was over the group of agents that had meet to try to locate moonrunners in Chickasaw County that night. "Sheriff, this had better be good."

Rosco stated sincerely, "I have a Duke boy stopped at my location."

For Andy Roach that was good enough for him. Though one half of him knew that Jesse Duke would be devastated if the Sheriff was indeed right. "I'm sending you a couple men Sheriff."

Rosco giggled uncontrolably, "We're a half mile from town on Rt 7."

Seeing the smug look on Rosco's face as he was returning to the General Lee, Luke sighed deeply and went to the front of the car and took a seat on the front fender. He said, "Might as well get comfy, we're gonna be here awhile."

Dixie did as Luke said. She went over and leaned against the General's fender beside Luke trying to look bored rather than worried. She whispered for only Luke to hear, "What about Dad?"

Luke figured he'd try to get Rosco to listen to reason even though he was certain he wouldn't, "Rosco can I at least radio Luther to tell him I'm gonna be late."

"You think I was born yesterday don't ya? YOU ain't radioing anybody, anything. I know all the tricks. You are just trying to get a message to Bo." Rosco said with confidence.

Luke rolled his eyes, "Well, you can get on the CB and radio him yourself."

Rosco refused, "I'm not delivering your message either." He was convienced that Luke was trying to let Bo or Jesse know that he had been stopped with a load.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sheriff Little had no idea who was driving the car in front of him, but he knew a runner when he saw one even in the dark. Little knew the car was blocked on all sides at the moment so he left traffic keep it that way while he approached the car. When he got to the window he saw the young man he'd seen driving that race car on the main roads awhile back. He had soon found out that this kid was one of the Duke boys. That information along with the way the car looked they just had have a load of shine in it. Little said with authority, "Shut the car off and get out."

Sure Bo had been shook down by Rosco before, much like Luke was being now, but Sheriff Little was a different story and even though Bo knew he thankfully wasn't loaded he was still worried by Little. He glanced at Jeb and shrugged his shoulders as he turned off the ignition and opened his door.

As Bo got out of the car, Little reached in, took the car keys and said to Jeb, "You too. On the hood."

Now being the youngest of the three, Jeb hadn't been on near as many runs as Bo or Luke and had never been with them any time they had ever gotten stopped. Sure they had been chased but he'd never been with them when they actually stopped for the law. Well, it wasn't like they had just stopped they hadn't been given a choice. Jeb opened the door and got out of the car looking at Bo for direction.

Bo was looking for a way out of this but the trouble was, he wasn't seeing anything. He motioned for Jeb to come to the front of the car with him.

Jeb followed Bo's lead hoping that he had a plan to get out of this situation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Andy Roach had sent two of his best men to go help Rosco as another man walked up and said, "Sheriff Little wants you on the radio."

Andy Roach grumbled, "Now what." Then went to his car and picked up the radio which was on a different channel that Rosco, "This is Roach."

Little said while watching the boys on the hood of the car, "I got a couple of Duke boys stopped up here at this accident scene. Can you send me somebody up here so when I get this shine out of this runner it will be all nice and legal?"

Agent Roach had to stop for just a second and wonder just how could two Sheriffs in two counties get lucky enough to catch not just a Duke on a whiskey run but to catch all three of them in two separate stops. Roach knew that Little had to have been pretty certain or he would not have called for an agent so he directed two more agents to go to assist Sheriff Little.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, down the road, Jesse figured to keep on moving toward his drop off point sure that the boys would catch up to him soon.

[bethie88]

Luckily, Jesse didn't encounter anymore interference on the way through, but he sure did hear alot of CB chatter. He knew that there was nothing for the boys to worry about, since his was the only car with shine. But still, the thought of ATF getting that close gave him the willies.

~ ~ ~

Jesse wasn't the only one with a bad case of the willies. All three of the Duke boys in their respective places and cars had that same old feeling making the hair on the back of their necks stand up. It was not a good feeling at all.

~Cue Dixie~

[DixieDavenport]

Luke was not happy but was trying to keep the situation calm more for Dixie's sake than because of the terms of the probation. He said as he tried to appear 'relaxed' leaning against the General's windshield, "Rosco, I'm telling you there is nothing illegal in this car."

Rosco replied smuggly as the ATF agents arrived, "Well, we'll see about that shortly. Now won't we?"

Luke could have bite nails when he saw the two agents not much older than himself, both eager and ready to make arrest and a name for themselves. He waited none too patiently.

Neither agent knew Rosco and thought that if a Sheriff had called for them and Agent Roach had sent them, then surely the car was packed with moonshine. The first agent would have nothing of Rosco's laxidaisy policing and began to rub Luke the wrong way by saying very firmly as he got close to the General Lee, "Both of you, off the hood. Put your hands behind your backs."

Luke looked at Rosco, who was at the moment enjoying the agents' show. Luke had been about as co-operative as he was going to be, "And why would I do that? Are we being arrested? And exactly for what?"

The over confident agent replied, "You are both going to be restrained and detained until your vehicle is searched, then when we are finished charges will be filed accordingly."

"The only charges I see being filed will be for false arrest." Luke said.

Rosco said smuggly, "You may want to know that this par--tic--u--lar Duke just so happens to be on probation."

Luke swore under his breath.

The agents immediately concluded that Luke must have been on probation for running moonshine and the first said, "Well, I guess ya didn't learn the first time you were arresting for running moonshine so now you are trying to obstruct an officer, violate your probation, as well as be arrested for delivery of untaxed alcohol."

Luke heard the charges ticking off just a bit too official to not be a promise, whether he was running shine or not. "No, I'm not obstructing you, nor am I violating probation or running moonshine." Luke moved Dixie further away from the agents and toward Rosco as he stood up, "I'll do what you say, but she hasn't done anything but be in the car with me."

Rosco nodded, "He's right about that. She can set in my car." He saw the look Luke gave him and concluded, "In the front."

Luke nodded and complied with the agents as Dixie walked over to Rosco's car with him, "Rosco you're gonna feel really funny when you find out that Luke isn't lying."

Rosco for the first time began to wonder if he was right about Luke, as he watched the agents looking in every nook and cranny of the General Lee.

[DixieDavenport]

As Luke sat with his hands cuffed behind his back in the back of the ATF's car he watched as best he could the search of the General Lee. The agents were having as much luck in finding moonshine as he expected then too, none. But, they were looking in places that it would be impossible to find any moonshine, let alone a gallon jug or for that matter a pint jar!

Dixie, too, was watching from the front seat of Rosco's patrol car. She knew Luke would never lie to her, but hoped no one had set him up.

0101010101

Unlike Luke, Bo and Jeb had been cuffed by Little and placed in his cruiser to wait for the agents to arrive. Bo looked at Jeb and said as he struggled against the handcuffs, "Beth doesn't need this."

Jeb replied, "No she doesn't need to know about this. You know they ain't gonna find anything."

Bo ...................

[bethie88]

Bo nodded. He supposed that was true. All the shine was with Jesse. But that didn't make him feel any better about the cuffs he was in.

Little was getting frustrated as he couldn't find anything in the car. Bo and Jeb were more than a little antsy, and Bo couldn't quit fidgeting and struggling against his cuffs.

"Them cuffs're gonna leave red marks on your arms you won't wanna have to explain to your wife," Jeb said, watching his cousin.

Bo.........

[DixieDavenport]

sighed and immediately stopped fighting the steel of the hand cuffs. Jeb was right and he knew it. Unfortunately, with his hands cuffed behind him there was slim to no chance of getting out of the cuffs that Sheriff Little had put on rather tightly. He could feel the steel cuff biting into his wrists as he sat back against the seat of the car to wait for either Little to either give up or find something he knew wasn't there.

NARRATOR: The problem with Sheriff Big Ed Little is that he never gives up.

Sheriff Little had watched the two agents do a very complete good search of the black car that he knew was a runner.

The senior agent looked back at Sheriff Little and could almost swear that the man's mouth was watering in anticipation, much like a starving man would do a T-bone steak. He hated to be the one to burst the Sheriff's bubble, but he hadn't even been able to find a kernel of corn or a spoon full of sugar, let alone any moonshine. He tapped his partner on the shoulder, nodded for him to stop looking, and he walked toward the Sheriff, "Sheriff we have looked this car over from top to bottom. It's clean."

"It can't be. I know this car is a runner." Little said.

The agent nodded and said, "Well, I might agree with you there, but it's not running nothing tonight."

Sheriff Little straightened his shoulders, turned toward his patrol car and marched off toward it to do the only thing he could do.

Bo seen him coming and was relieved that this was about to be over, until Little got closer and he saw his determined face. All he could say before Little got to the car was, "Ut-oh."

Jeb turned to see what Bo was suddenly concerned about just as Little reached the car.

Sheriff Little grabbed the car door handle and jerked the door open, ..... and off the hinges in his hands!! "Get out!"

Bo swallowed the knot in his throat as he saw Little turn and throw the car door over to the side of the road. He decided not to keep the man waiting as he got out of the car.

Jeb didn't bother waiting on his door to be 'opened' for him. Even with his hands cuffed behind him he managed to scramble out of the back of the car behind Bo.

Little took off his front door of the patrol car much like he had the back door and tossed it to the side of the road with the back door. He then got in his car and drove off.

Bo and Jeb were glad to see him gone but suddenly realized they were still cuffed.

Suprisingly enough, the two agents were just as relieved to see the Sheriff in his car and heading away from them as the Duke boys were!

0101010101

Rosco also had went back to watch the agents search the General Lee. He was impressed with how good a search they were doing, however, they were not having any more luck than he had been having before they arrived. They had taken the back seat out, door panels off, and anything else that could be taken out to look in, under, or behind.

The oldest of the two agents, looked over at Rosco, "Sheriff is there any other place you'd like us to check before you turn them loose?"

Rosco studdered, "Tur-nnnnn 'em looooossseeee?"

The agent replied, "If there is no place else you want looked at, we are statisfied that there is nothing here to find." He paused then added, "So you have to let them go."

Rosco nodded, fussing as he walked over to his patrol car to Dixie, "Let them go! I get them dead to rights and got to let them go."

Figuring there was still enough time to get back to Agent Roach and actually find some moonshine tonight if they hurried the agent who had insisted Luke be cuffed and placed in his car went over to the car and said, "You can get out now."

Luke was more than ready to do so but had a couple remarks that he was just dying to say, but thought he'd at least wait until the cuffs were removed.

The agent promtly removed the handcuffs and said, "Ok you can go now."

Dixie had walked over to Luke and was more than willing to just leave, now, but Luke was now in a rather annoyed mood. He looked at the agent and asked, "So, does that mean you'll not be filing any charges?"

The older of the two agents wasn't much older than Luke, himself, but must have been around a bit more than the one that was so eager to rub Luke the wrong way. He said, "The car is clean. So no there will be no charges filed. You can go."

Dixie couldn't believe what she saw and heard Luke do next.

Luke looked from the agent to the General Lee and said, "I will be glad to, ......... just as soon as you all put my car back together, ......... just the way you found him." Then, he said with a bit of a grin as he looked at the eager agent, "Or I'll be filing charges of my own."

Before the younger man could say anything the older one pointed in the direction of the car. As they walked off the older agent said, "I told you not to be taking all that stuff out of there. To just look behind it. That's the first thing the teach you about searches in the academy!"

Luke didn't here the younger agent's reply. But saw Rosco standing and enjoying the show even though no moonshine had been found. Luke said, "Rosco, you had a hand or two in emptying my trunk."

Rosco grumbled and stomped off to join the two agents in putting the General Lee back together again.

Dixie looked at Luke, "Have you lost you mind?"

Luke grinned widely for the first time since he'd seen the blue lights behind him. "Probably, but they did that search totally wrong and I wasn't letting them get by with it."

"How long will it take them?" Dixie asked, remembering they were supposed to be going after the wrecker and should have been back to her father by now.

Luke looked unconcerned, "Not half as long as it took them to get it all out or for us to have put it back. The nights still young and they want to go back to the 'hunt'."

010101010101

Meanwhile, Jesse Duke had done as he had since he was the boys age. He had completed his deliveries and was back on the road home. Though he was several hours outside Chichsaw County it should be smooth sailing back home. He just wondered where the boys had gotten off to. He hoped they have just gotten delayed to long to have tried to catch up to him.

[bethie88]

Bo looked at the agents, then Jeb, then back at the agents. "Umm... fellas..." He paused, not quite sure how to ask this question, given the situation. "I... I don't aim to rile y'all or nothin'... But bein' as how you didn't find no moonshine... Well, I reckon what I mean is... Could y'all take the handcuffs off us?"

The agents looked at the two boys incredulously. "Um... Yep... Sorry, y'all," said one, shaking his head.

The older of the two agents walked over to the boys, about to unlock their cuffs, when he audibly swore under his breath.

"What?" asked an extremely nervous Bo.

"Little took the keys for these cuffs!" he said.

Bo looked at Jeb. This was going to be a LONG one.

[DixieDavenport]

The younger agent gave him a very puzzled look, "What do you mean took the keys to those cuffs. They are all alike!"

The older agent stepped back and said, "Fine so you unlock them."

The younger one stepped over closer to Bo where the lighting from the headlights of the car was better. He had his cuff key in his hand ready to unlock the handcuffs when he looked closer seeing the handcuffs with a very different sort of lock. "What the he--?"

The older agent gave him a look as he turned to go back to the car.

The younger agent followed him to the car hoping that his parner had a key that fit these cuffs.

Jeb had also moved to look at the handcuffs.

Bo was beginning to feel like the Christmas turkey on Christmas evening. "What??? would you just tell me what is going on that two ATF agents can't unlock one set of handcuffs."

"Two."Jeb replied glumly. "Bo those cuffs ain't like anything I've ever seen before."

Bo moved to see Jeb's cuffs, "Let me see." As Jeb turned around so that his hands were in the light, all Bo could say was, "Oh Lord."

Back at the car, the older agent radioed Agent Roach, "Agent Miller to Agent Roach."

Andy Roach checked his watch. It was getting late. He wished his four agents would get here soon and hoped that's what Miller was telling him, "Go ahead."

"Agent Roach, we have a situation here. The car was clean. But we have the two suspects still handcuffed ." Miller reported.

"Well, if you don't have any other charges get on back over here." Roach said a bit impatiently. He had a tip that moonshine was being hauled out of Hazzard tonight and he wanted it.

Miller signed, "Sheriff Little has already left the scene and we don't have a cuff key to fit these cuffs."

Agent Roach swore. They spent a lot of money to train young agents and these two 'college boys' couldn't even unlock a set of handcuffs. He said outloud before keying the mic, "I've carried the same cuff key for twenty years and never couldnt' get a set of cuffs unlocked." Then he said as he keyed the mic, "I'm bringing my hair pin and coming right over."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Menawhile, Sheriff Big Ed Little had driven to his house in record time. He got out of the now two doored patrol car, hit the hood with both hands causing the front two fenders and grill to fall off. He stomped up the front stairs, removed the front door from it's hinges, when to his gun cabinet, got his twelve gauge pump and three boxes of shells. As he hit the back door with his foot the back door fell to the porch. Ed walked right over it and kept going toward the woods behind the house.

His wife hand been setting in the living room and seen the whole thing. She now heard shots being fired into the woods she hoped!

~~~~~~~~~~

Agent Roach pulled up fuming but tried to remain professional since the suspects were standing there still cuffed. 'So these are two of Jesse's boys' he thought to himself. "Ok, boys let me get you unlocked here. He took out his ever faithful hand cuff key and went to enter it into the lock on the cuffs only to see a very differnent kind of lock. He frowned and looked at Agent Miller who had a book a magazine in his hand.

Before Roach could say anything Miller said, "Peerless Model 710 High Security pick resistant locking system."

Bo had only thought it was going to be a long night before, but now he knew it was going to be.

Roach said, "Who's cuffs are these?"

Miller replied, "Sheriff Little's"

"Figures." Roach said, "So why didn't you just have him called to come back out and unlock them?"

Miller replied to his superior officer, "Sir, with all due respect they just don't pay me enough." He pointed in the direction of the two car doors that were obviously from the Chickasaw Sheriff's patrol car.

"Good griff." He said as he reached for the radio, "Atlanta, this is Roach. Can you get a number for Ed Little Sheriff of Chickasaw County and do a phone patch between me and him?"

Atlanta base replied, "Standby." After a short time they said, "Agent Roach I'm patching you through to the residence."

Little's wife answered the ringing phone sure that it was a neighbor complaining again, about the gun fire in the wee hours of morning. "Hello"

"This is Agent Roach with the ATF. Is Sherifff Little there?" He asked.

She looked to the back door laying on the porch and replied, "He's out back."

"It seems he left two suspects handcuffed at his last stop. Could you get him for me?" Agent Roach asked.

Little's wife walked to the back door. She was sure that the agent could hear the rapid gun fire as Ed was continuing shoot the twelve gauge. "I'm sorry, but you hear that gun fire? That's what he's been doing since he got home and I'm not about to go after him."

Agent Roach looked up at the two agents and the two Duke boys standing near by sure that they heard her reply. He ..................

[bethie88]

He shook his head. It was gonna be a long night. And he had a feeling that the new Mrs. Bo Duke would NOT be in the mood for the phone call she might have to get before this was over with.

Bo, straining against the cuffs again, looked at Agent Roach, his eyes pleading with the man. The older Duke boy's voice raised in pitch. "Aww, Agent Roach, you can't leave us cuffed, you gotta get us outta this. Beth's gonna kill me already as it is."

Agent Roach knew this as well as Bo did, and felt bad for the young man, but he wasn't sure what to do. "I sure do wish I could help, Bo..."

"Miz Little?" he said back into the radio. "Could you have the Sheriff call me as soon as he runs out of shot?"

Mrs. Little replied, "I'll do what I can, Andy, but you know how Ed is."

Agent Roach nodded. He did indeed know, and so did the rest of the men gathered here. "Thanks."

He looked at the boys, shaking his head. "Fellas, I don't rightly know what to do."

Bo, thinking about the time, wondered if there was a chance of getting Jesse here soon. He thought better of it and didn't ask, but Roach's mind went to the same place. "Reckon I should call your Uncle Jesse and let him know."

"Nah," Bo answered, just short of too quickly. "No need to wake everybody with the phone ringin..."

[DixieDavenport]

Jeb glared at Bo. Bo had answered far to quickly than to just be concerned about waking up Jesse. Lord knew he and Luke had woke him up many a time for less and was sure that Agent Roach knew this. He tried to smooth it over, "Yes that's right with his wife being pregnant and all she needs her rest."

Suddenly the 'light' came on in Chickasaw! Andy Roach now knew how his agents could shake down two cars of Duke boys and fine nothing. He also knew exactly who was running the load that he had been warned about coming out of Hazzard. He looked at Miller who still hadn't put two and two to gether yet, "How about you take these guys over to their car and get 'comfy' while I try to find a solution to this situation."

Miller wasn't sure why Roach wanted them away from the car but he picked up on that much. So he said, "Come on fellas. I'm sure Agent Roach will figure something out."

As soon as the other agents and the Dukes were out of hearing distance Agent Roach shut his car door and said into the radio, "Atlanta, this is Agent Roach. I had two agent that searched a car near Hazzard tonight. Can you ask them what kind of car it was?"

Several minutes later Atlanta replied, "They searched a Dodge Charger."

Agent Roach almost knew that before he asked. He then ordered, "Have all agents BOLO (be on the look out) for a 1970 For Torino painted primer black. It will be driven by Jesse Duke and could be anywhere from Hazzard to the next three states. It will most certainly be hauling moonshine." Jesse was a friend of his and he hated to do this to him, but it was his job.

Atlanta advised, "I'll take care of it Sir."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The other two agents and Rosco had finally gotten the General Lee back together. Luke and Dixie had picked up the big wrecker and were now approaching the area where Luther should be with the truck in the ditch. Luke let up on the fuel peddle jsut a bit as he knew he was getting close.

Dixie looked at him with questioning look.

"After everything earlier I sure don't need to run up on this wreck 'hot'. I'm sure that Sheriff Little will be on scene. Not to mention, I really don't want to make your father think I abuse his trucks." Luke explained.

Dixie laughed, "Yeah he is quite fond of his trucks."

As Luke pulled in on scene of the wreck he could not see around the slight bend in the road that his cousins nor their car parked on the other end of the wreck scene. He was just about to get out of the truck when he heard over the police radio Atlanta advising the BOLO on Jesse. Luke stopped dead in his tracks. He wasn't sure how or where they got their information but it was too accurate for his liking. He reached for the CB hoping the agents and police could not hear him. "Lost Sheep to Shepard where are you?"

Jesse replied, "On the main road almost to the County line."

Luke knew he would be on his way back and empty but for Jesse Duke to be out at three am was sure to raise a lot of questions if he was stopped. "I'll explain later, hit the woods home. Get off the main road. You can not be seen coming back into the County."

Jesse wasn't sure what was up but he took the next side road that headed to Hazzard.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, still unseen by Luther Davenport were two very impatient and unhappy still cuffed Duke boys.

[bethie88]

Back at the farm, Beth was tossing and turning. She hadn't slept a wink. Never did when the boys were on a run.

She rose from her bed and put on her robe, walking to the kitchen hoping to find some crackers or something to take her mind off of what was going on.

She found Daisy sitting there, looking impatiently at the clock. If even Daisy was worried, Beth knew she should be. And that upset the poor girl to the point that she was fighting back tears.

~~~~

Jeb shifted uncomfortably. He knew that they weren't in trouble, but the cuffs still didn't make him feel good.

Bo shook his head. "Big Ed Little WOULD be the lone Sheriff in the Tri-County area to NOT have standard cuffs. I've never even heard of this before."

Jeb nodded. "I know... And I ain't too thrilled about it."

Just then, Bo and Jeb heard the sound of an engine that sounded familiar. "Hey," Bo said to Jeb. "Don't that sound like Luther's wrecker?"

Jeb nodded. "But we wouldn't be that lucky."

Bo knew Jeb was probably right, but he sure hoped he was wrong. He shifted again, straining against the cuffs as if by some insane feat of strength he'd be able to break them.

This time, Jeb didn't even bother stopping him.

[DixieDavenport]

Luke sized up the rig in the ditch and positioned the large wrecker to best be able to tow the truck out of the ditch.

Dixie asked, "Do you need me to do anything?"

Luke gave her slight grin as he got out of the truck, "I thought you didn't want Luther to know you knew about the trucks."

"He'll know sometime won't he?" Dixie replied.

Luke looked back up at her, "If its all the same to you, I'd rather it not be tonight. I'll get your dad to give me a hand if I need anything."

Luther seen how Luke had set the Pete to pull the rig out of the ditch. Even though this wasn't a complicated job he could see that Luke handled the wrecker as well as himself or Cooter. He had been glad when Luke had wanted to earn some extra cash a few years ago and began learning the trucks.

Luke had the wrecker set up and was moving the large rig even before Luther had gotten to him.

Luther advised, "Luke the driver has a friend just past here on the right. That's where he wants it taken to."

Luke replied, "Ok, I'll take it up there and then bring the wrecker back to Hazzard." Then he thought about Dixie being with him and it being 3 am. Luke was torn between telling Luther she was with him which would also make him have to explain why it had taken him so long to get here. But, he also knew if Luther Davenport got home and Dixie wasn't home he'd be worried, then he'd be mad. He figured that he may as well get it over with, "Luther I was on my way to take Dixie home when you called for me to bring the wrecker. She is with me."

Luther looked at his watch. It was late, really late.

Luke answered the questions before they could be asked, "Yeah, it's really late. After I talked to you we turned to go back to the garage for the wrecker and I was stopped by none other than Rosco. He wasn't satisfied with him searching the car, but called for two ATF agents to re-search it." Luke grinned, "Then I had to wait for them to put the car back together."

Luther now understood why it had taken Luke that long to get to him. "Them? Put the car back togeter?"

Luke gave an evil grin, "Yes, it was 'priceless'.

Luther knew his daughter had loved the big wrecker since he'd bought it and had bugged him for the last few years to learn how to not only drive it but to learn to operate it. "Normally I'd tell her to ride with me, ....."

Luke gave him a look that said Dixie wouldn't like having to get out of the Pete and into the smaller truck, but he didn't say anything.

Luther continued, "But, since I know you'll be right behind me I'll let her ride back with you. I'll have coffee ready when you get to the house."

Luke replied, "This is one of those never ending days from he--. I'll take you up on that coffee. It may just get me to the farm in one piece." He hadn't slept well while in jail and had really looked forward to sleeping in his own bed tonight and here he was in the middle of the road in Chickasaw County. Luke finished getting the rig hooked up and told Luther, "Well, we'll be behind you as soon as I drop off this rig." Luke climbed up in the big Peterbuilt wrecker and said to Dixie, "Ok, Dix, here is when I need you. Watch over there for me it's gonna be real tight getting out of here. Then, I'll need you to keep me awake on the way back home, which is largely why I think your Dad let you ride back with me." Luke started the big wrecker with the rig in tow out of the wreck scene past several fire units.

Dixie said, "As soon as you are past this fire truck you are clear." she paused then added, "Luuukkeeeee, isn't that Blackie parked up there?"

Luke turned his attention to where Dixie was looking. It was Blackie, trouble was that he also knew the other two cars parked there. Both cars were ATF cars and Luke would know Agent Roach's car anywhere. Luke pulled the wrecker to the side of the road and told Dixie as he was getting out, "Stay here. I'm not sure what going on." As Luke walked up to where Blackie was parked, he scanned the area and finally found Bo and Jeb leaning against Blackie. It was obvious they were still cuffed but the car wasn't being searched.

[bethie88]

Bo looked like he'd never been more relieved in his life. "Luke, am I ever glad to see you... Can't you figure out some kinda way to get us out of this mess?"

"What's going on?" Luke asked, looking around in confusion.

"Dang Sheriff Little," Bo replied. "He's the only policeman in the whole dang county that don't use standard cuffs."

Luke was shocked. He'd never heard of that. He wasn't quite sure how to deal with it, either.

"Bo, I ain't sure just yet, but let me figure it out."

Bo strained against the cuffs again, and Jeb grimaced. Beth was NOT going to be thrilled with those red marks.

[DixieDavenport]

Luke turned to one of the agents there and asked, "So they aren't under arrest?"

Agent Miller shook his head no, "They've been,..... ah,..... 'free' to go. Well so to speak for over an hour now. It's just that Sheriff Little left in a rather bad mood." He indicated the two doors of the Chickasaw County partol car laying a short distance away. He continued, "We've all tried to get the cuffs off them but no one has a key."

Luke frowned, "It can't be that difficult. All cuff keys are the same." Luke was met by 4 sets of eyes telling him no. "Let me see."

NARRATOR: Got to give those Dukes credit. Seeing is belivin' to them and ol' Luke is about to start believin'.

He looked at the cuffs and asked, "What are those?"

Agent Miller handed him the book he had been looking at. "Peerless Model 710 High Security they only come with two key combination and can't be copied."

"Great. Are you in charge here?" Luke was pretty sure the young man was not, but he was trying to gain points that he hoped would help get his cousins back home before Beth and Daisy got up.

Miller replied, "No, that would be Agent Roach."

Luke nodded and walked over to Agent Roach's car.

Andy Roach saw Luke Duke, Jesse's oldest coming toward his car. He knew that he had two sets of keys that were made for those cuffs on the way from Atlanta but he had something else on his mind.

Luke said, "Agent Roach I'm in the wrecker up there. I'm sure I can get those cuffs off if you'll give me the go ahead to do so."

Agent Roach replied, knowing what the eldest Duke would do. "I can't do that. I may have the authority to do so but I don't really want to buck Sheriff Little either."

Luke said, "I'm sure that Jesse won't appreciate you holding them without cause."

That is what Agent Roach was counting on him saying, "Well, I don't want to cross Jesse either, but me not my guys cuffed them and we don't have the means right now to uncuff them. Little's wife has been notified and when he cools down she'll tell him about this. Do you watn me to have Atlanta call teh farm?"

Luke felt like he had no other choice but to radio Jesse to come back to them, but if they called by phone Jesse would not be home yet. Luke replied more calmly than Bo had earlier. "No that will wake up the whole house. We'll wait a bit and see if Little shows back up." Luke walked back to the wrecker. He said to Dixie, "We've got a little problem." He then got on the CB and radioed Jesse, "Shepard this is Lost Sheep One. I've came up on Lost Sheep Two and Three just past the County line. I'm not sure why Little stopped them but we got a little problem here as soon as you can get here from the farm."

Jesse wasn't sure what the problem was but he realized that he needed to turn around and get to the boys but none to quickly. "I'll be there as soon as I can get dressed." Jesse replied.

Dixie asked, "So now what?"

Luke replied, "We wait. I got to go tell them Jesse's on his way." He got back out of the truck and walked toward Bo and Jeb who were looking at him hopefully. Luke said, "Guys it's gonna be awhile> Agent Roach won't let me cut the cuffs. Jesse is on his way over from the farm." Luke emphasized the last word.

[bethie88]

Luke started pacing, his jaw working. Bo was still pulling against the cuffs. His wrists were so sore from it, and he knew Beth would see red marks and ask what happened.

Jeb was to tired to strain anymore, so he leaned against the car, fighting to stay awake.

Jesse was still a long way from where they were, and the boys knew it was going to be a long night.

"Beth's gonna kill me," Bo said, shaking his head. "She's just gonna kill me."

Luke replied........

[DixieDavenport]

"She'll probably kill you just for the principle of killing you, but does she have a real reason to do so?" Luke paused, there was far too many ears around for them to finish this conversation, "Nevermind, don't answer that." He was given a very sarcastic look from both his cousins.

~~~~~~~~~~

Back in Hazzard, it was really late as Cooter turned into the driveway. He was prepared to cut the motor half way down the driveway, but he seen that the wrecker wasn't there and the house was dark, too dark even for Dixie to be there. Cooter frowned wondering where his father and sister were. It wasn't unsusal for Luther to be gone late at night but it also wasn't usual for Dixie to go out late at night with either Luther or Cooter on wrecker calls. Cooter thought, 'Maybe she stayed with Dasiy, but the last I remember Luke was taking Dixie home.' Cooter wasn't even out of the truck when Luther pulled in behind him in the wrecker.

Luther looked at his son, who was expected to be at the garage first thing in the morning, and said, "Out kind of late aren't you?"

Cooter hadn't had a time to be home for several years but knew his father didn't approve of him being out late unless he was on a wrecker call any more than Uncle Jesse approved of Bo and Luke being out late, especially when the next day was a work day. With the fainest light of dawn beginning to show there was no denying that it wasn't late or that he didn't realize it was so late. Cooter nodded, "Yes, Sir, it is, but where is Dixie?" he hoped by changing the subject it would keep his father off his back.

Luther frowned, "She should be here soon. Luke had to bring the Pete over to me in Chickasaw County for a job. She was still with him when he picked up the truck. You know your sister. Wild horses could not have gotten her into the little wrecker with the Pete there."

Cooter agreed, "You have that right."

"Let's get coffee on they shouldn't be but about a half hour behind me. Luke said he may need coffee to be able to get home." Luther said seriously.

With a bit of an evil grin, Cooter said, "Ya know he has had a rather busy first day home."

Luther started the coffee and said, "I can't say it's been an easy one for me either."

Cooter was glad Luther didn't see the smug look on his face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sometime later, Jesse Duke pulled up on the cleared wreck scene to find, ............

[bethie88]

a very unhappy collection of men, and Dixie, who didn't look a bit worried that she was out so late. Jesse had his own opinions about exactly why that was, but time was of the essence if he wanted to get the boys home before Beth and Daisy started worrying.

"Andy, just what in tarnation you got my boys still cuffed for. There ain't no shine in the car," Jesse said, feigning innocence.

"Jesse, I ain't never seen cuffs like that," Roach replied, shaking his head. "Reckon Ed didn't want to lose 2 moonshine runners once he had 'em."

Jesse shook his head, a Duke sense of justice burning. "Well, you best get 'em uncuffed, Andy."

[DixieDavenport]

It was just then that another car pulled up and all the Dukes knew it to be a government issue car. Agent Roach looked up to see the car, then looked at Jesse, then his watch. He thought, 'Just my luck, if Jesse pushed it, he did have just enough time to get to him from Hazzard. Though no one else could have made it in that time frame'. Roach was sure a Duke could. He said, "That should be the keys right there, Jesse."

Jesse Duke frowned, "Well, it better BE!!!"

Agent Roach added, "If it's not I'll let them cut the cuffs."

Jesse nodded with satisfaction.

Agent Roach walked over to the much younger agent, took the keys and walked over to Jeb first. The first set of keys fit into the lock but did not open them. Agent Roach swore nearly as loudly as Jeb, who was only out voiced by Bo. Dixie who had been standing by Luke while they waited for Jesse to arrive seen Luke tense, even though Agent Roach had told Jesse that he'd give the go ahead to cut the cuffs if the keys didn't work. Jesse didn't even bother scolding them for cursing, as Roach inserted the second set of keys into the lock and turned it. Jeb felt the cuff loosen on his left wrist. Once Jeb was uncuffed Agent Roach took the same key and stepped over to Bo. He inserted the key into the lock and nothing!!!! Bo felt his knees almost buckle as his heart hit his shoes. Though Luke felt sorry for his cousins situation, it was hard to not laugh at the sick look Bo had on his face. Agent Roach swore as he got out the set of keys that had not worked on the cuffs that Jeb had on and said, "I intend to have a real long talk with Sheriff Little about this!" He put the key in the lock, turned it and felt the lock give. Bo felt the cuff finally loosen on his wrist and breathed a sugh of relief as Agent Roach finished removing the high security hand cuffs.

Bo couldn't contain himself any longer and let out a "YEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAW!!!!"

Jesse nodded his appreciation to Andy Roach and said, "Ok, boys lets get to the house. It'll be dawn 'for we get there now."

010101010101

The first pot of coffee had been drank, a second one made, as well as breakfast made and eaten by Luther and Cooter. Cooter was getting ready to start his morning chores before going to the garage. He saw his father look out the window for the hundreth time then look at the CB base station on top of the refrigerator.

[bethie88]

Beth and Daisy both stood up quickly upon hearing the engines of the various vehicles in their driveway. Beth held her hand protectively over her stomach as she looked out, hoping desperately that she'd spot Bo's broad shouldered frame.

She heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing him and ran out into the yard, hand still in place protecting her unborn child. Jesse fussed as she ran, "Girl, you ought not be runnin' with that little 'un on the way! You're liable to fall!"

But Beth's mind was on having Bo in her arms. She threw her arms around the broad shoulders, tears streaming down her face. "Bo, I was so worried about you, where have you been?" she bawled, holding on tightly.

"Now, honey," Bo said. "You didn't think I wouldn't come back now, did ya?"

Beth held on to him for just a moment, but the nonchalance with which he spoke got her dander up for some reason or another. "Beauregard Jackson Duke, I've been worried sick about you. Just worried plum sick, and you act like I'm silly. Where were you? Why didn't you let me know you were running late? What is the matter with you? Why don't you..." She was fighting mad now, beating her small fists against Bo's chest.

Bo held her wrists in his hands, stopping her from hitting him, but his face was pained. "Honey, I woulda if I coulda, but... Well, dang it... I couldn't..."

Beth looked up at him, tear streaks all over her now-red face. "Why not?" she asked, fire flashing in her blue eyes.

Bo didn't quite know what to do at this point. But what he did know was that he couldn't let go of Beth's hands, and that telling her the exact reason for their being late would not be his best course of action.

Unfortunately, Jeb didn't think of that so quickly and spouted off, "Cuz Big Ed Little slapped some fancy cuffs on us that we couldn't get off, and left us there."

[DixieDavenport]

For a split second you could have heard a pin drop in the Dukes front yard.

NARRATOR: Folks I think the chickens even stopped clucking!!!

Bo just dropped his head.

Jeb seen that he had stuck his foot in his mout up past teh knees and wisely moved rather quickly toward the house to be sure that he was out of Bo's reach. As he went through the door he added, "Shower is mine first!"

Jesse Duke was wise beyond his years and didn't get into the kids relationships, but Bo was still his boy. Though he knew that it was just the hormones of pregnancy effecting Beth's moods and he knew she wasn't hurting Bo, Jesse felt now was the time to speak up before the still newly married couple got into a habit of hitting on the other. He said with a commanding voice, "Kids!" He had their attention. "Let's go into the house and get some breakfast on and I'll explain to Beth what happened last night."

Bo knew his tone and said, "Yes, Sir." Bo wasn't sure he wanted Jesse to talk to Beth for him, but at the moment he felt just a bit safer, but wasn't sure he wanted to let go of Beth's wrists.

Beth had been around Jesse Duke for years and couldn't remember ever hearing that tone of voice.

010101010101

As Luther picked up the CB mic, he heard the sound of the Peterbuilt's engine as it started up the driveway.

Luke looked at the fully lightened morning sky as he started down the Davenport driveway. He knew Luther figured him to be no more that about a half hour behind him and that was if Luke had went to the garage first to get the General Lee. Due to having been up nearly 24 hours and not sleeping well at all the past few days in jail, Luke decided to head straight for the Davenport farm in hopes that Cooter may run him home. He figured they could pick the General Lee up at the garage later. He looked over at his right shoulder where Dixie had dozed off just after passing the County line. Luke couldn't help but smile at how comfortable she looked sleeping on his shoulder. He hated to wake her but figured her father would not be really happy with him for being so far behind him to begin with, so Luke gently nudged Dixie and said, "Dix, we're here. Wake up."

Dixie was like most folks in Hazzard and used to turning in early, except for rare occassions. Also she was used to being made to go to bed at her Mother's early too. So staying up until dawn had taken it toll as well as the movement of the wrecker as it bounced down the dirt roads of Chickasaw and Hazzard Counties. She heard Luke's voice but was too soundly sleeping for his words to register in her brain. All she knew right now was she was warm, comfy and safe. She snuggled closer to the warmth, stretched her arm out across the bed..... no that wasn't a bed, that was a person..... it took awhile but Dixie then realized that was LUKE under her arm.

Luke felt Dixie snuggle closer to him, then move her arm across his chest. He was suprised to fine that he discovered he like that feeling and it took him almost a full minute, as he slowed the wrecker down coming down the long driveway, to come to his senses and with a bit more firm voice say, "Dixie. Your father is on the porch. You need to set up."

Luke's second statement had hit Dixie's brain just as she realized her arm was on Luke's chest. She set up quickly still a bit disoriented. As she opened her eyes she was surprised to see it fully daylight, she was in the wrecker with Luke and both her father and Cooter were on the porch and not looking happy.

Luke said, "You dozed off just past the county line. But, it doesn't look like the welcoming committee is too happy about us not being here sooner."

Dixie looked back grimly, "Looks like you are right about that. Sorry."

"What are you sorry about?" Luke asked.

"If I wasn't with you, they wouldn't be on the porch." She said.

Luke nodded in agreement and said lightly. "Your probably right about that, but your father is as attached to this truck as you are."

"I just hope he's not too mad at you." Dixie said as Luke stopped the wrecker.

As he set the brakes of the big wrecker he gave her a sideways grin and said, "I'm not real proud of it, Honey, but you're not the first girl I ever brought home at dawn........ And there in lies the problem. I'll take care of things, you just go get some rest."

Dixie couldn't help see that Luke was just a bit embarrassed at his statement as he seen she understood exactly what he meant by his statement. Yet, she couldn't help admire how sure of himself Luke was about being able to handle the situation, as well as her father and brother as he got out of the truck.

Luther said sternly, "I was just getting ready to radio you."

Luke said, "I guess I should have radioed you, but about the only thing I could do on the way back was concentrate on driving, which is why I headed here instead of the garage."

Without waiting on to hear her father's reply, Dixie took Luke's advice and hoped it worked and headed past Cooter and her father, hoping to make it to her bed without being stopped.

Luther watched his daughter. His only daughter head into the house. Her hair was a bit messed but over all her appearance was intact. Then he looked at Luke. He knew the boys family, knew him well enough to trust him with his trucks and tools, but the part that bothered him, .... really bothered him was that he knew the boys reputation. It was well known all over three counties the boy had a score card and there had been plenty of players. Luther ......................